It’s the time of yr once more the place ESPN’s Joe Lunardi is absolutely diving deep into his well-known “Bracketology” updates that he provides each two or three days.
The most recent edition of Bracketology was unveiled Tuesday morning and upon trying, there have been three groups on the bubble that, frankly, have no enterprise being close to the NCAA Match, so right here they’re and here is why they do not belong.
North Carolina Tar Heels: First 4 Out
Lunardi has the Tar Heels simply barely lacking the match and it appears like complete blue blood and ACC bias.
Sure, they’re 16-11 (9-6 in ACC) this season, however who’ve they overwhelmed? North Carolina has one win in opposition to a ranked opponent this season and that win got here all the best way again in December in opposition to a UCLA group that isn’t ranked anymore.
The Tar Heels are 1-10 in Quad 1 games this season, giving them essentially the most losses in Quad 1 video games by any ACC group. Their final two video games in opposition to ranked opponents resulted in losses by 17 and 20.
The one means North Carolina ought to be capable to get into the NCAA Match is that if it runs the desk and will get the automated bid from successful the ACC Match.
Arkansas Razorbacks: Final 4 In
Jon Calipari’s first season in Fayetteville has not gone in keeping with plan, as his Arkansas group sits at 15-11 (4-9 in SEC).
But by some means, even with a convention report that’s 5 video games beneath .500 and a report of 3-9 in Quad 1 games, Lunardi has the Razorbacks as one of many final 4 groups in.
The Razorbacks do have high quality wins over each Michigan and Kentucky, however that is actually about it. They’ve put up a struggle in opposition to a number of the nation’s finest groups lately, however virtually successful would not depend for something.
With remaining video games in opposition to No. 15 Missouri and No. 21 Mississippi State, Arkansas has an opportunity to enhance its resume a bit earlier than heading into the SEC Match. A loss to both of the 2 groups ought to knock the Razorbacks fully off the NCAA Match bubble.
Indiana Hoosiers: Subsequent 4 Out
A report of 2-8 in a 10-game stretch and nonetheless being even near a projected match group is laughable, however that’s precisely the place Lunardi has Indiana.
The Hoosiers are 6-9 within the Huge Ten and have only one win over a Prime 25 opponent all season lengthy. They’re 3-11 in Quad 1 games, and so they have only one win within the final month.
Indiana ranks 14th out of 18 groups within the Huge Ten in both points per game scored and allowed. A group of their caliber belongs nowhere near a match bid.
Definitely, issues may change and all three of those groups may catch fireplace earlier than seasons finish, however as of now, they shouldn’t be near consideration.
